How India has emerged as ‘voice of Global South’ in Modi’s era

The global geopolitical strife is providing an opportunity for India to play an important role in shaping global geopolitics. India’s rapid economic development and rich geo-culture add necessary substance to New Delhi’s greater engagement in global geopolitics. India is not only the ‘voice’ of the Global South but also the ‘Viswa Mitra’ of the global community.

The Global Order is in prolonged stress and turmoil largely because of geopolitical conflicts, economic recession, health crisis as evident from the Covid-19 crisis and its aftermath, supply and demand securitisation, environmental crisis, etc. Along with these crises, the strategic rivalry between the United States and China has also altered the geopolitical balance, thus accentuating global rivalry. The same can be seen in the context of rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.

In this context, how one sees India’s role in a tumultuous world order. It is important to infer that despite facing regional and global challenges, India has succeeded in charting a grand strategy that makes New Delhi a global power. In this regard, it is to be noted that India’s rich geo-culture is rooted in normative idioms like “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, peace, cooperation and development based on equity and justice for the global community, thus providing the basis for global order.

A closer evaluation of Indian foreign policy over the years demonstrates some of these normative aspects as its key policy strategies. The normative contours of Indian foreign policy helped India to win appreciation from the global community. The same was evident more aptly during the Covid-19 crisis when India provided vaccines and other essential medicines to the Global North and also the poorer countries of the Global South.

Similarly, during a global food crisis, India started exporting essential food grains to the international community after the supply disruption in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war. This helped the global community to mitigate the food crisis. One essential point that needs to be inferred here is that India pursues a more benevolent and humanist policy towards the global community. Thus, it can be stated that India’s geo-strategy cannot be studied only in the realist power strategy but also in the ideational sense, where the core goal is addressing the global community’s concerns. This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to India’s role in the global order as “Viswa Bandhu”.

It is necessary to underline here that India is not only a “Viswa Bandu” but also a “Viswa Guru” (Global Teacher). The growing stature of Indian foreign policy is evident, especially after 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who gave a new direction to India’s foreign policy. The essential hallmark of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi is that it is rooted in age-old geo-cultural traditions. This new geopolitical stature made India the global leader and a geoeconomic player, beating the global recession and rising faster. In this context, there is a need to assess India’s rise as a global player in the three above prisms.

Geo-cultural Vector of India’s Foreign Policy

One important vector of India’s foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is the significance of geo-cultural fronts. This provides a new prism for India’s foreign policy. The same can be inferred from Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Nepal in August 2014. During his visit, PM Modi took a special interest in renovating and restoring the historic and holy Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The visit symbolised two important things; namely, it strategised India’s deep-rooted geo-cultural relations with Nepal. During the visit, PM Modi also showed keen interest in developing some other holy places like Lumbini and Janakpuri, closely related to Indian cultural heritage. A similar strategy India displayed when the holy Buddhist relics were sent to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and Mongolia. During his visit to Bangladesh in 2015, PM Modi also visited some of the famous Hindu temples, including the Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka. The geocultural linkages with Sri Lanka and Nepal were apt during the inauguration of the Sacred Ram Temple at Ayodhya. As reported, the Sri Lankan government sent sacred stones from Ashok Vatika in Sri Lanka.

Similarly, gifts from Janakpuri (considered the birthplace of Mata Sita) came to Ayodhya as part of rituals. One may recall here that PM Modi, during his visit to Mauritius way back in 2015 , visited Ganga Talao and the sacred temple of Lord Shiva. The visit to Ganga Talao and the sacred Lord Shiva Temple in Mauritius marked a new phase in India’s spiritual diplomacy in this Indian Ocean country. India’s Spiritual diplomacy reached its epoch when the PM laid the foundation stone of the Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi in March 2017. He also inaugurated the temple on 13 February 2024. It may be recalled here that while inaugurating the Temple, PM Modi stated that “this temple will usher in a brighter future for humanity, symbolizing communal harmony and global unity for the world”.

The speech of PM Modi highlights the true spirit of India’s Sanatan Sanskriti which underlines “ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः” the English translation of the same is “Om, May All be Happy: May All be Free from Illness; May All See what is Auspicious; May no one Suffer; Om Peace, Peace, Peace”. It is a fact that this age-old Indian spiritual code is the only basis for achieving Sustainable Peace in the strife-torn Global geopolitics. It may be underlined here that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is pursuing an active spiritual diplomacy. This is more important as the global order is confronting a new challenge in the form of a “Clash of Civilizations”, as outlined by Samuel Huntington.

On the other hand, India is providing a normative ideology rooted in the age-old traditional maxim of “वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम” “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “ The World Is One Family”. This inclusive nature of the Indian philosophical maxim provides an ideological framework for the global community to co-exist cooperatively. Similarly, the holy Rig Veda highlights the noble principle that says, “आनो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वत”, the English translation of the same means “Let Noble Thoughts Come to Us From All Sides of The World”. One may underline that some of these traditional Indian ethos rooted in spiritual values are providing the bedrock to India’s approach to global order. When the global community faces an ideological crisis, it is India’s age-old Indian spiritual values that provide an alternative to the global community. This reflects India’s stature as a global normative power.

Along with a rich contribution to the global normative order, another important contribution to the global community is Yoga. Over the years, this ancient tradition of Yoga has emerged as a major source of inspiration for the global community for its spiritual and physical healing capacities. In this regard, it should be mentioned here that in September 2014, PM Modi, in his address to the 69th UN General Assembly, highlighted the importance of Yoga for the global community. In his speech, PM Modi stated, “Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature”. In this context, he urged “the United Nations to work towards an International Yoga Day.” After PM Modi’s speech, the UN in December 2014 adopted a resolution declaring June 21, as International Yoga Day.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO), as reported, started a Yoga App for the benefit of the common people. Similarly, in 2016, the UN listed Yoga as the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by calling it “unifying the mind with the body and soul to allow for greater mental, spiritual and physical well-being”. The declaration of June 21, as Yoga Day reflects India’s growing clout in the global geo-cultural normative framework.

Global Geopolitical Power

The growing geo-cultural stature of India helps it shape the global geopolitical discourses. The same can be evident from the fact that the global community, including the UN, is reposing faith in India to resolve the global crisis. For instance, the leadership role of India in addressing the global crisis was evident when the global community appealed to PM Modi to resolve the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the present West Asian crisis. It may be recalled here that even in UN debates on the West Asian crisis or the Russia-Ukraine War, India’s position was appreciated by the member countries of the UN. The same was evident when India advocated the need to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestine people or secure a safe passage corridor in the war-ravaged Ukraine. This shows India’s prominent role in global geopolitics.

The global geopolitical crisis also provides an opportunity for India to play a greater role. The same can be evident from the fact that India has played an important role in shaping the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific by emphasising principles like “free and open Indo-Pacific” as well as playing a crucial role in the formation of the strategic Quad. Since its formation Quad has played an important role in enhancing the strategic cooperation among India, the US, Japan and Australia. At the same time, this strategic bloc is posing a formidable role in challenging China’s hegemonic role in the Indo-Pacific geopolitical space.

Similarly, India is an active member of SCO and BRICS but was also invited to join the elite G-7 countries Summit in Germany in 2022. This reflects India’s growing importance in the global multilateral organisations. India ’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit in October 2023 and arriving at a consensus on the Russia-Ukraine war in the Summit declaration reflects India’s pursuit of assertive and pragmatic diplomacy in the multilateral framework. Similarly, it is on India’s insistence that the African Union got a membership in the G20. This shows India’s commitment to promoting the interests of the Global South countries and promoting a global sustainable security order based on equity.

At the same time, India is playing an active role in the Indian Ocean region. The unveiling of the SAGAR doctrine by PM Modi in 2015 gave a greater push to India’s maritime diplomacy in the Indian Ocean region. Similarly, the Maritime Vision 2030 outlined in 2021 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Government of India has also focused on a greater role for India in maritime diplomacy. Along with maritime diplomacy, India has recently strengthened its presence in outer space. The success of the Chandrayaan Mission enhanced India’s presence in outer space. It is a known fact that Outer Space is going to play an important role in shaping the future of mankind.

India’s approach to global geopolitics under PM Modi is based on four major pillars. These are “strategic autonomy” in international relations, promoting the interest of the Global South, strengthening civilisational ties with like-minded countries, and greater engagement with the neighbours. It is the pursuit of strategic autonomy, rooted in the Indian philosophy of Madhyam Marg or the “Middle Path”. The strategic doctrine of the “Middle Path” propels India to play a major role in global geopolitics. For instance, India is playing an important role in balancing relations with Russia in the Indo-Pacific geopolitics. This is a known fact that Russia has a strong aversion to the geopolitical concept of the Indo-Pacific. Similarly, despite prolonged sanctions on Russia after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, India managed to get energy from Russia. Another instance one can underline here is that despite sanctions on Iran India has developed a robust partnership with Iran rooted in civilisational ties. This reflects India’s ability to balance global geopolitics. This is all happening because of India’s growing stature in global geopolitics. The same can be evident from India’s stronger strategic partnership with Russia, the US, and the European Union. India’s role in global geopolitics was explicitly underlined by PM Modi, at the Gujarat Vibrant Summit, “In the rapidly changing world order, India is going ahead as Vishwa Mitra (a friend of the world).”

Apart from being the “ Vishwa Mitra” India is also playing the balancer of global geopolitics. This is happening because India challenged the status-quo nature of global geopolitics and worked towards a genuine multipolarity. As Derek Grossman, a strategic analyst from the US strategic think tank Rand Corporation, in an op. ed piece in the Foreign Policy titled “Modi’s Multipolar Moment Has Arrived”, stated that “Modi has managed to elevate India’s global stature”. This he says in the context of India’s independent foreign policy posture in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War.

One may underline that peace and non-violence have been the principled position of Indian foreign policy over the years. However, when required, India also has used its military capability. The same can be evident from the Balakot surgical air strike conducted by the Indian Air Force deep inside the territory of Pakistan to destroy terrorist sanctuaries operated on behalf of the Pakistan government.

Similarly, India gave a befitting and strong military response to China when the Chinese troops tried incursion into the Indian territories in the Galwan sector in June 2020. This demonstrates that India is not averse to using its military capability when required. The growing military capability of India over the years has also sent a strong warning to adversaries like Pakistan and China.

At the same time, India, under the leadership of PM Modi, pursues a “neighbourhood first” policy. As has been observed, India comes to the rescue when the neighbouring countries face a natural disaster or financial crisis. This is even though some of the countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives are falling prey to China’s evil design. Though India has not recognised the Taliban in Afghanistan, New Delhi is providing the necessary aid to the Afghan people to tide over the food crisis.

With Bangladesh and Bhutan also, India is improving relations. India’s relations with West Asian, Central Asian as well as South East Asian countries have improved considerably under the leadership of Modi. In the context of West Asia, India is rebalancing ties with Iran as with Saudi Arabia and Israel. Similarly, India has upgraded its relations with Central Asia in an institutional framework.

Over the years, India has cemented itself as a major external actor in Southeast Asian geopolitics. From a Dialogue partner with the ASEAN (the nodal regional organisation of Southeast Asian countries), India has become a strategic partner in recent years. This demonstrates India’s growing influence in the Southeast Asian countries.

It can be underlined here that under the leadership of PM Modi, India has calibrated its diplomacy in such a manner that propelled New Delhi to play a greater role in regional and global leadership. As theoretical studies on foreign policy-making suggest, leadership is crucial in the foreign policy-making process. Using the same theoretical proposition, PM Modi provides decisive leadership to the foreign policy-making process. External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar recently, in an interview with a newspaper, underlined, “Under PM Modi, we have a Bharat-first foreign policy”. Thus, it can be stated that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is playing an important role in global geopolitics.

Global Geo-economic Power

One pertinent aspect that requires closer attention is that the global economy is in a deep slump, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic as well as due to the prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the onset of the recent war between Israel and Hamas. On the other hand, despite the global recession, India’s economy is in an upswing. As studies suggest, India is the fifth-largest economy in the world. As per a recent report released by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, in February 2024, India’s GDP growth rate is projected at 7.3 per cent in the fiscal year of 2023-2024. The same report quoting IMF underlines that India will be the third-largest economy by 2027. Even studies from the World Bank and IMF more or less concur with the Government of India report. One of the positive aspects of India’s economic growth trajectory is that there is a growing surge in the FDI inflow.

As per a report of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in 2021-22 fiscal years, India received “85 US Billion dollars”. It may be recalled here that as per the above report, India received only “ 96 billion USD from 2005-2014”. The surge in FDI inflow to India reflects the growing confidence of international investors in the Indian economy. A robust domestic economy and growing FDI inflow into India have also enhanced India’s global position as a geo-economic power. In this regard, the full credit should go to the leadership quality of PM Modi, who, under his leadership, is giving a new direction to India’s economic growth trajectories.

Another important aspect that needs to be delved into here is the rising middle class of India and its emergence as a major energy market. A recent report published in the South China Morning Post suggests that India will emerge as a major consumer base in the forthcoming years and by 2030, with a “consumer base of 773 million people”. This gives India an edge in comparison to other rising powers. With a huge consumer base, India can be a major market in the forthcoming years. This will give India a major advantage in bargaining with the other major economic powers in terms of providing access to the market.

India’s resounding domestic economic growth also propels New Delhi to play a major role in the global economy. The same can be evident from India’s role in the various multilateral bodies. As highlighted above, India got an invitation to participate in the G 7 Summit. This reflects India’s growing stature in global geoeconomics. Similarly, India has signed several Free Trade Agreements with regional organisations like the ASEAN. In March 2024, India signed an FTA with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein). Efforts are going on for similar FTA arrangements with the European countries. Similarly, India is mulling to sign an FTA with Great Britain.

Both India and Russia are also keen to sign an FTA agreement. India can also sign a similar arrangement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a regional trading multilateral body promoted by Russia in the post-Soviet space. This will offer India entry into the post-Soviet Eurasian space market. At the same time, India is also part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which came up in May 2022 in Tokyo. This is a positive move on the part of India’s geo-economic diplomacy.

Over the years, India has enhanced its global presence, by bringing out many connectivity projects. In fact, boosting global connectivity is one of the mainstays of India’s global geoeconomic engagement. Some of them are the International North-South Transport Corridor Project (INSTC), Chabahar Connectivity Projects, IMEC Corridor, Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor, Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, India-Myanmar-Thailand,

Similarly, India-ASEAN specially emphasises the augmenting connectivity projects since 2017. One may recall that signing a contract with Iran to develop the Chabahar Project for 10 years will boost India’s connectivity projects to Afghanistan and Central Asia. At the same time, being part of the Ashgabat agreement will boost India’s outreach to both West Asian and Central Asian connectivity projects. Emphasising the significance of geo-economic connectivity projects, PM Modi at the G20 Summit held in New Delhi in October 2023 stated, “Increasing connectivity with all regions has been India’s main priority,” and he further underlined that “connectivity is a source of increasing not only mutual trade but also mutual trust between different countries”.

This signifies PM Modi’s commitment to promote India’s greater connectivity with different parts of the world. Being part of the Quad, as discussed above, India is vigorously promoting the idea of an “open and free Indo-Pacific’’, which will promote global trade.

Thus, it can be stated that the growing economic power of India over the years is propelling India to play a major role in global geopolitics.

Conclusion

Looking at India’s role in global geopolitics in recent years, it can be added that New Delhi will play a major role in the global geopolitical space. In this regard, it can be added here that India’s rich normative contribution and rising economic power will propel New Delhi to play a greater role in global geopolitics. Being the “voice” of the Global South, India is providing leadership to the Global South countries on various issues ranging from ecology, democracy, global multilateralism, etc, at the global multilateral forums. At the same time, it must be underlined that in the post-2014 phase, India is providing the necessary leadership to the global community.

The author teaches at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.